Chapter 102: Provoking Widespread Anger

He would see him then.

Yang Xin was not afraid to see Wanli!

He had long figured out that this was just an old man who had become a shut-in waste, not only of a fairly good temper, but also easily attracted to novel things. The reason he was so popular was because he could bring a lot of freshness to Wanli’s dull life…

Besides, who was he?

The firefighter of the Liaodong battlefield!

Before Wild Boar Skin was dealt with, at least with Wanli’s intelligence, he would not do anything to him.

With him there, there was no fear that the Liaodong war situation would again, like after the defeat at Sarhu, face the danger of total collapse at any moment. It must be known that up until now, the strongest in Liaodong was still the Jiannu. Even after suffering heavy losses before, Wild Boar Skin still commanded over sixty thousand, maybe even more, elite troops. Although Xiong Tingbi had increased his forces to over a hundred thousand, the number actually capable of fighting was probably less than half of Wild Boar Skin’s. As for those truly capable of field combat against the Jiannu, it was estimated to be only a few thousand household troops of various generals. Wanli was well aware of this. Xiong Tingbi could only defend Liaodong and Shenyang; if he went out for field combat, he would be beaten badly by Wild Boar Skin. Although Wild Boar Skin was now turning toward Joseon, it also meant he would quickly obtain grain and slave supplies, then prepare for the next larger-scale attack.

Who could possibly turn the tide then?

Of course, it was Yang Xin.

This was Yang Xin’s greatest reliance.

The sacrifice ceremony for Yue Fei soon concluded, and then the area was taken over by the military. Next, the Duke of Dingguo would personally oversee the construction of a temple for Yue Fei here, certainly exceeding the specifications of the Temple of Guan Yu at Zhengyang Gate, but surpassing the Confucian Temple was impossible. The Confucian Temple was actually together with the Imperial College, forming a vast complex.

And this land counted as Yang Xin’s donation.

Which was to say, those previous families still came to ask him for silver…

“Now you’ve lost out big!”

Xu Xianchun said.

“Indeed, I need to think of a way to make a profit!”

Yang Xin nodded deeply in agreement.

The eunuch leading the way ahead turned back, giving them a rather speechless look.

“I haven’t yet asked how to address you, sir eunuch?”

Yang Xin asked.

“This humble one’s surname is Liu, given name Shimin. I am just a Fengyu by His Majesty the Emperor’s side. Speaking of which, I also come from a Military Household background. Seeing you military officers is like seeing family. It’s just a pity I cannot go to the battlefield to slay enemies like Righteous Yang.”

The eunuch said with a smile.

Yang Xin did not dare ask how someone from a Military Household ended up becoming a eunuch.

The three soon arrived at Qianqing Palace. Liu Shimin led them straight to Hongde Hall as before. Before they even got there, they saw a group of people walking toward them. The first to catch the eye was Fang Congzhe’s gloomy gaze, and Huang Kechan was also beside him. Behind them was a first-rank military official. Behind the military official was someone wearing a Flying Fish Robe. Next to the Flying Fish Robe was the Seal-holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, Lu Shou. Liu Shimin quickly moved them both aside to make way for these high officials. However, these five fellows did not walk past; instead, they directly surrounded them. Five pairs of sinister eyes stared at Yang Xin, like a group of cannibals studying how to start cutting…

“Grand Secretary Fang, Minister Huang, Eunuch Lu, how should these two be addressed?”

Yang Xin said.

Beside him, Xu Xianchun wanted to pay his respects, but was glared at by the one in the Flying Fish Robe, and then he quickly backed away.

“This old man is Chen Liangbi!”

The first-rank military official said sinisterly.

“Luo Sigong!”

The one in the Flying Fish Robe said.

“I remember you!”

Chen Liangbi said.

“I remember you too!”

Luo Sigong said similarly.

Then the two strode away proudly.

Behind them, Fang Congzhe and Huang Kechan gave Yang Xin a meaningful look, then also turned and left. Only Lu Shou looked Yang Xin up and down.

“You certainly know how to stir up trouble!”

Then he said ominously.

Having said that, he also left.

Yang Xin watched their departing backs speechlessly. Clearly, he had given these guys quite a hard time. Although nothing happened this time, just the fact that high officials from the three systems—civil, military, and internal—of the Great Ming were gathered here showed how much the Great Ming court had been thrown into chaos by this sudden incident.

“Still not confident!”

This shameless guy sighed.

Of course, he was purely speaking without feeling the pain. Whose capital city suddenly has tens of thousands of soldiers parading without the government being thrown into chaos? Not to mention emperors of feudal times; even twentieth-century America would have to deploy Patton if encountering such a thing! It could not be helped that these military and political leaders hated him to the core. They were living their comfortable lives, and suddenly his one irresponsible act forced them to come rushing in panic to deal with a situation on the verge of losing control at any moment. Those soldiers flooding the city had maintained order. If order had not been maintained, it would have been a disaster akin to an earthquake…

“But this has indeed tested the loyalty of the various Imperial Bodyguard Battalions for Your Majesty.”

Inside Hongde Hall, Yang Xin said cautiously.

Then he looked up at Wanli, who was still reclining on the short couch.

“This humble commoner indeed acted rashly, but this humble commoner truly did not expect the scholars’ public anger to be so great. This humble commoner also did not expect the enthusiasm of the officers and soldiers of the various Imperial Bodyguard Battalions for loyal service to the country to be so fervent. This humble commoner does not wish to say anything else; this plan was instigated by this humble commoner encouraging Assistant Commissioner Xu. If Your Majesty bestows punishment, this humble commoner alone should bear it. But this humble commoner must still congratulate Your Majesty here. The descendants of the Capital Garrison that once swept across the world following Taizu and Chengzu, that undefeated army that fought bloodily for the Great Ming, are still as loyal to the Great Ming as their ancestors.”

He continued immediately.

“This emperor’s Imperial Bodyguard Battalions are, of course, all loyal servants of the state!”

Wanli snorted coldly.

Clearly, his mood had already improved.

“But you scoundrels have also harmed civil-military harmony!”

He then shouted sternly.

“Your Majesty, if it is only this point, this humble commoner believes it can be easily resolved.”

Yang Xin said.

Wanli was clearly looking for scapegoats. He simply wanted to use this incident to rally the military officials and then scare the civil officials a bit. Now his goal could be said to be achieved, even unexpectedly well. The vast numbers of Imperial Bodyguard Battalion soldiers marching through the Capital City clearly demonstrated to the civil officials his control over the military. It also clearly told those increasingly arrogant scholars that in the Great Ming Dynasty, he ultimately had the final say. Anyone who dared try to rise above him would be crushed underfoot by this huge army, just like those demolished houses.

But now it was time to change faces.

It was time to make the scholars understand that His Majesty the Emperor was still as tolerant and generous toward them as in the past. As for those who did this deed, it was not him, but these ignorant scoundrels.

It was at this moment Yang Xin truly felt the crisis.

He had to save himself.

“Speak!”

Wanli shouted.

“This humble commoner believes there is no civil-military discord in our Great Ming. Under Your Majesty’s rule, all are loyal ministers. Military officers are loyal ministers, civil officials are loyal ministers. The Capital Garrison is loyal to Your Majesty, the scholars are also loyal to Your Majesty. Therefore, we should make the whole world understand this. We need to hold another sacrifice ceremony.

A mutual sacrifice.

Have the Duke of Dingguo lead the military officers to worship Confucius.

Have the Duke Yansheng lead the civil officials to worship the two sages, Guan Yu and Yue Fei.

That would suffice.

Those military officers kneeling in the Confucian Temple would let the literati of the world see that Confucius is not only their supreme ancient teacher, but also the supreme ancient teacher of the Great Ming’s military officers. And the Duke Yansheng kneeling in the temples of Guan Yu and Yue Fei would tell all soldiers who shed blood for the Great Ming that civil officials, including the Duke Yansheng, are also loyal servants of the state like them. Through this mutual civil-military sacrifice exchange, we can display that in the Great Ming, civil and military are one family, each performing their duties under Your Majesty’s grace and glory, striving to prolong the Great Ming’s Wanli golden age.”

Yang Xin said with great boldness.

Wanli abruptly sat up on the short couch.

“Continue!”

He said.

Clearly, this idea was very creative.

Civil-military mutual sacrifice—nothing could better display civil-military harmony.

“However, this matter must be voluntary, not by Your Majesty’s Imperial Edict. Therefore, this humble commoner hereby requests permission to go to Qufu to convey this intention to the Duke Yansheng. As for the construction of the Yue Fei Temple, it can be accelerated. If nothing else, build the main hall first and invite Sage Yue into the main hall. One month should be enough. Given the Duke Yansheng’s understanding of the greater good, he will certainly agree. As long as the Duke Yansheng comes to the capital and first calls on civil officials and scholars to go together to sacrifice at Yue Fei’s temple, then we can have the Duke of Dingguo lead the military officers to sacrifice at the Confucian Temple. At that time, Your Majesty can use this as an example and issue an edict ordering civil and military officials everywhere to conduct mutual sacrifices. Where there is no Guan Yu or Yue Fei temple, build one. Where there is only a Guan temple or Yue temple, add the other. In short, every county in the country must have a Guan Yu and Yue Fei temple. Similarly, civil and military officials everywhere must regularly conduct mutual sacrifices.”

Yang Xin said.

This was his real goal.